'It smells like charred earth': BBC at Indonesia fire epicentre causing Singapore and Malaysia haze crisis

Live updates

1. 2h ago

   Indonesia Wildfires Stoke Regional Haze Crisis

   Toxic haze from burning peatlands in Indonesia has blanketed Singapore and Malaysia, creating a severe regional health and economic crisis. Wildfires in Central Kalimantan and Sumatra, intensified by a strong El Nino, have caused a twenty-five percent spike in respiratory cases across Indonesia and left tens of thousands ill. Domestic aviation has suffered heavily, with the Indonesian Transportation Ministry recording over two thousand six hundred disrupted flights between August and October due to low visibility. Meanwhile, Indonesia is utilizing dry ice to fight the blazes and has declined foreign assistance, insisting it can manage the disaster independently.

   Why it matters

   The recurring transboundary haze crisis strains diplomatic relations between Indonesia and its neighbors, Singapore and Malaysia. Previous years show that dry peatland ignition during severe dry spells releases massive amounts of carbon and hazardous pollutants into the atmosphere. Friction has emerged over official remarks regarding the impact of the clean air provided by Indonesia.

   What is confirmed

   • Toxic haze from burning peatlands in Indonesia's Central Kalimantan has blanketed Singapore and Malaysia.
   • Fires exacerbated by a strong El Nino have led to a 25 percent spike in respiratory cases in Indonesia, with tens of thousands falling ill.
   • The haze crisis has affected 2,604 domestic flights in Indonesia between August 11 and October 19, including 1,129 delays and 1,420 cancellations or postponements.
   • Indonesia is fighting fires with dry ice as toxic haze spreads across the region.
   • Indonesia is holding off on foreign help to fight forest fires, stating it can manage on its own.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Four people were killed when a wildfire trapped firefighters and volunteers in Indonesia's Mount Bromo national park.

   What to watch next

   • Updates on regional air quality indices in Singapore and Malaysia
   • Further deployment or results of Indonesia's dry ice firefighting methods
   • Developments in diplomatic responses between Indonesia, Singapore, and Malaysia regarding haze management
   Sources used for this update (11)

   1. Reuters — Explainer: Why is the haze so bad in Southeast Asia this year?
   2. The Guardian — Indonesia fights fire with dry ice as toxic haze spreads across region
   3. AP News — Wildfire traps firefighters and volunteers in Indonesia’s Mount Bromo national park, killing 4
   4. BBC — 'It smells like charred earth': BBC at Indonesia fire epicentre causing Singapore and Malaysia haze crisis
   5. CNA — Shanmugam calls Indonesian official's 'oxygen' remarks disappointing, welcomes Prabowo's actions on haze
   6. CNA — Indonesia holds off on foreign help to fight forest fires, says it can manage on its own
   7. www.bbc.com — 'It smells like charred earth': BBC at Indonesia fire ...
   8. curiouscats.ai — 'It smells like charred earth': BBC on ground at Indonesia ...
   9. www.europesays.com — ‘It smells like charred earth’: BBC at Indonesia fire ...
   10. www.watch-fire.com — Kuala Pembuang wildfire: toxic haze affects region
   11. www.bbc.co.uk — BBC visits Indonesia's wildfire ground blanketed by toxic haze
   confidence 95%